The Sewing Basket

 

Mom had a sewing basket

she’d pull out of an evening

with a pile of mending

and while the tv murmured

she sat by a bright lamp and

pulled needle and thread

through

a torn shirt pocket

a hem falling down from a skirt

or hang  a button back on jeans

she was like that with the family

when children bickered

she set things aright

pull the threads tight

that kept us a family

when Dad was upset

we’d hear the quiet conversation

a murmur through the thin bedroom door

she’d put a button on the discontent

pull us back together, a family

she’s gone now

gone to be with Jesus

I have a sewing basket too

and mending to do

time and again with my wife

I learned it from Mom

patiently pull the threads

snip the loose ones

patch the holes

and carry on